Most of us remember in grade school studying a human being’s five senses. We actually have more than five, but we’ll cover the most widely recognized senses. In order of staging priority, they are:
1. Sight - Ophthalmoception
2. Scent - Olfocaception
3. Touch - Tactioception
4. Sound - Audioception
5. Taste – Gustaoception
In the case of one or two of these senses, even a grade-schooler could figure out why they are relevant, but “taste”, you ask, how does it fit into the staging model? Read on to understand the importance of engaging all of our senses – and how.
1. Sight - Ophthalmoception
2. Scent - Olfocaception
3. Touch - Tactioception
4. Sound - Audioception
5. Taste – Gustaoception
In the case of one or two of these senses, even a grade-schooler could figure out why they are relevant, but “taste”, you ask, how does it fit into the staging model? Read on to understand the importance of engaging all of our senses – and how.
Sight
Sight is the very most important sense because most homebuyers have been forwarded an MLS sheet from their buyer’s agent or have looked at photos on Realtor.com, Zillow, and Trulia, before deciding whether the home is worth taking a second look. If the photos look unprofessional, exhibit poor curb appeal, or have a dated and, or cluttered interior, there is a good chance that the buyer will move on.
If you have enticed the buyer with your photos and they have scheduled a showing…your work is not done. On closer scrutiny, can you hold the buyers interest? Is your landscape as well groomed as is looks in the picture? Is your front door dirty or faded? The buzzword these days is “turn key”. It’s impossible to achieve perfection, but at least try to please even your pickiest buyer.
If you have enticed the buyer with your photos and they have scheduled a showing…your work is not done. On closer scrutiny, can you hold the buyers interest? Is your landscape as well groomed as is looks in the picture? Is your front door dirty or faded? The buzzword these days is “turn key”. It’s impossible to achieve perfection, but at least try to please even your pickiest buyer.
 Visually cluttered |  Visually clean |
Scent
Scent is something we must consider as a home seller. Oftentimes, we become so accustomed to the smell of our environment that we cannot be objective. Obviously, if you fried perch the night before a showing, smells will linger. If the weather permits, open windows to let in fresh air as often as is comfortable or simply spray the air with a natural concoction of equal parts white vinegar and water. Be mindful of pet smells…yes your Guinea pigs have a very special fragrance. During showing and open houses it will be important to change pet bedding every 2 or 3 days.
It was at one time customary for home sellers to bake bread or cookies prior to a showing or open house, in order to make the home smell inviting. All it really did was make potential buyers feel hungry and distracted. The current preference of millennial/Gen Z is natural scents like herbs and citrus. A diffuser is acceptable; candles make the homebuyer feel that there’s a cover-up going on. Grinding a lemon in your garbage disposable before a showing can add a nice bit of freshness. Natural cleaners with herbs or citrus are also welcome. You cannot go wrong with a vase of fresh flowers or a bowl of fresh fruit.
It was at one time customary for home sellers to bake bread or cookies prior to a showing or open house, in order to make the home smell inviting. All it really did was make potential buyers feel hungry and distracted. The current preference of millennial/Gen Z is natural scents like herbs and citrus. A diffuser is acceptable; candles make the homebuyer feel that there’s a cover-up going on. Grinding a lemon in your garbage disposable before a showing can add a nice bit of freshness. Natural cleaners with herbs or citrus are also welcome. You cannot go wrong with a vase of fresh flowers or a bowl of fresh fruit.
 Smelly |  Fresh |
Touch
Touch seems intrusive. It’s hard to imagine a stranger walking through your home and touching things. Watch out – because they do! The potential buyer is trying to imagine themselves in the kitchen and ew, that’s just gross if your cabinet knobs are covered with gunk. The same goes for your light switches. Also, a potential buyer should be able to run a finger over cabinets without leaving a trail in the dust.
We want to excite their sense of touch in a positive way, such as feeling of the nubby texture of grass cloth wallpaper, the cool smoothness of granite countertops, or the plushness of the bedroom carpeting.
We want to excite their sense of touch in a positive way, such as feeling of the nubby texture of grass cloth wallpaper, the cool smoothness of granite countertops, or the plushness of the bedroom carpeting.
 Grimy |  Spotless |
Sound
Sound is fourth, but still important. If you live next to a busy freeway, then sound can be a deficit that you must overcome. Hopefully, the other assets of your property outweigh this perceived deficit. The freeway can be seen as a benefit (convenience) or a curse (noise).
It’s hard to conceal a freeway that is within two city blocks of your backyard, but tall evergreens can deaden and absorb the sound of traffic and provide a visual barrier as well.
It is possible to add to the experience of a home showing by turning on a sound system at a very low volume of neutral music. If the weather is appropriate, opening a window and allowing the sound of chirping birds or bellowing bullfrogs is very welcome.
It’s hard to conceal a freeway that is within two city blocks of your backyard, but tall evergreens can deaden and absorb the sound of traffic and provide a visual barrier as well.
It is possible to add to the experience of a home showing by turning on a sound system at a very low volume of neutral music. If the weather is appropriate, opening a window and allowing the sound of chirping birds or bellowing bullfrogs is very welcome.
 Noisy |  Peaceful |
Taste
Taste - not your decorating savvy, but the sense of taste – awakened in subtle ways, such as welcoming your potential buyer with a bowl of individually wrapped chocolates or a mini bottle of water. Either of these simple niceties extends a warm welcome.
 Yummy |  Refreshing |
As a Realtor and a Professional Home Stager, I am the first to say there is no “one size fits all” method. We do know that people respond to cleanliness, spaciousness, and a warm welcome. Wishing you all the best in your home selling endeavor and feel free to drop a line if there are any upcoming projects I could help you with.
Cindy
Cindy
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